The norrls peters co



Patented Jan. 3, |899.A

F. C. FREEMAN.

TOY. Application led Aug. 13, 1897.)

(Nu Model.)

FRANKLIN C. FREEMAN, OF FRANKLIN, INDIANA.

TOY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 617,089, dated January 3, 1899.

Application filed August 13, 1897. Serial No. 648,125. (No model.)

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANKLIN C. FREEMAN,

"a citizen of the United States, residing at Franklin, in the county of Johnson and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Toy, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in toys of that class in which a buzz-wheel or whirligig is combined with a top and the object that I have in View is to provide a cheap, simple, and exceedingly efficient device which may be used at will either as a top or as a buzz-wheel.

A further object of the invention is to construct it in a novel manner to secure an extended bearing for the twisted cord or string, which is an important feature, as such construction tends to insure prompt starting of the device and prevents it from iiopping sidewise and refusing to buzz, as the ordinary thin-metal wheel is prone to do.

IVith these ends in View my invention consists in a toy cast in a single piece of metal or otherwise wrought to produce a circular body, an elongated hub which extends from opposite faces of the disk-like or circular body and which provides long bearings for the twisted cord or string, an axial pin or stem extending centrally through the hub of the disk-like or circular body, and passages or openings formed entirely through the hub in planes in opposite sides of the axial pin and adapted to receive a cord or string which is to be twisted and pulled in order to impart rotatory motion to the disk-like or circular body of the toy when it is used as a buzz- Wheel or whirligig, all as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

To enable others to understand my invention, I have illustrated it inthe accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in Which- Figure l is a persective view showing the toy adapted for service as a buzz-wheel or whirligig. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the toy in the plane of the axial pin or stem andthe passages. Fig. d is a View of the toy adapted to be used as a spinning-top.

Like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

My improved toy is cast or otherwise Wrought in a single piece of metal for cheapness of manufacture and for durability in service. The cast-metal toy consists of a circular or disk-like body l, an elongated hub 2, an axial pin or stem 3, and passages or openings 4, substantially as indicated in the drawings.

The body l is in the form of a disk with an enlarged and thickened rim or perimeter 5, Which is an integral part of the body and which serves as a balance-rim to steady the rotation of the toy and insure uniform and prolonged running thereof when the device is used either as a buzz-wheel or as a top.

The hub 2 projects beyond the faces of the disk-like body for considerable distances, and, in fact, I make this hub of such length that its extremities extend beyond the plane of the edges of the hea-Vy rim or perimeter 5 of the disk-like body 1.

The stem or pin 3 of the toy extends axially through the hub, and, as is usual in this class of toys, one end of the stem is pointed, while the other end is shaped to form a thumb-- piece by which the toy is adapted to be turned between the thumb and the fingers when it is used as a top, the pointed end of the stern serving as the pivot.

The passages 4 extend entirely through the hub 2, and they are situated at diametrically opposite points in said hub, With the stem or pin Sbetween said openings or passages. 'lhis organization of the passages in relation to the stem or pin and in the elongated hub is an important feature in my invention. By the organization described the stem or pin not only is in a position so as not to interfere with the cord or string when the device is used as a buzz-Wheel, but the stem serves in a measure as a guide for the twisted cord or string, keeping the strands thereof separated for a short distance on opposite sides of the disk-like body, thus enabling the device to be used to good advantage.

I attach especial importance to t-he proi vision of the elongated hub and to passages extending through the same at diametrically opposite points, because the construction and arrangement provides extended bearings for the strands of the cord or string. In the ordinary thin-metal buzz-wheel there are IOO simply openings provided for the cord; but this is objectionable, because the wheel or disk is prone to run sidewise and cannot be promptly started. In my improved device the extended bearings for the string formed by the passages in the elongated hub serve to prevent the wheel from running sidewise and to insure prompt starting thereof when the cord is twisted and pulled.

In using the device the construction is such that it will be at once thrown into position by the provision of the elongated bearings for the cord, and any child can promptly start the body to whirling. Another advantage of the improved device is that the long bearings obviate wear on the string to agreat extent. By removing the string from the passages in the hub the toy is admirably adapted for use as a spinning-top. The weighted rim of the toy serves to steady the running as well as insuring prolonged spinning of the toy when used either as a buzzwheel or as a top.

The improved toy is exceedingly simple in construction, cheap of manufacture, and is efficientin operation, besides starting promptly and running for a longer period than the toys of ordinary construction.

It is evident that slight changes in the form and proportion of parts may be made withoutdeparting from the spiritof the invention.

In my improved toy the Web or plate lies within the plane of the ends of the hub and the edges of the rim, and the pin is prolonged beyond both ends of the hub to which it remains constantly attached, because all the parts are integral. The weighted rim insures prolonged rotation of the toy, whether used as a top or a whirligig.

The toy is used at the will of the operator for either of two purposes Without detaohing the cord around which the device may rotate as a whirligig. The cord may be drawn through the openings in the hub until its looped end is drawn against one end of the hub, and the device may then be employed as a top by coiling a cord around one part of the hub, thus enabling the top to be held in suspension by the looped cord.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A combined top and whirligig, comprising a plate or disk provided at its circumference with an integral enlarged rim, the hub located at the center of and formed integral with the disk or plate and protruding at both ends beyond the faces of the same and provided with opposite longitudinal passages, the pointed stem formed integral with the hub and extending centrally from both ends thereof and located between the passages, and the cord passing through the passages and adapted to permit the toy to be used either as a Whirligig or a top without removing it, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANKLIN C. FREEMAN.

Vitnesses:

GEORGE I. WHITE, ELIHU F. BARKEE. 

